AK HJR48

Alaska Legislature urges U.S. Congress to pass the Crime Victims Fund Preservation Act (S. 1340 and H.R. 3402) to increase funding available for crime victims' services nationwide.

Crime Victims Fund, established by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, provides critical funding for state victim compensation and assistance programs, including medical care, counseling, emergency shelter, and crisis intervention services.

Fund is derived from criminal fines and penalties paid by federal offenders, not tax revenue, and accumulated nearly $3,000,000,000 as of early 2010 despite only $6,000,000,000 being obligated of the $9,000,000,000 deposited over the previous 11 years.

Congressional spending caps implemented in 2000 have limited available funding for victim services while states face severe budgetary shortfalls and increased demand for services.

Proposed legislation would establish increasing minimum caps on annual Crime Victims Fund obligations through 2014 to significantly increase state victim assistance grants and discretionary grants without jeopardizing long-term fund sustainability.